Together with my girlfriend, I will go to Donana National Park next week - hopefully catching spring early. Perhaps some of you have already been there?! I would be very grateful for any recommendations.

I have herped there without success (too hot in the summer). We saw some snake trails though (possibly of Vipera latastei). Maybe you could look for trails and follow them? Also, don't park your car on an unguarded parking lot... someone broke into our car and stole our luggage .

Robbery (assault and battery) is unfortunately a very common problem: I suffered from this many years ago in Sardinia. The advantage of european Countries (over maybe Mexico or Costa Rica) is that in Europe you have much higher probabilities to come back home alive...